We have zero evidence either way to suggest that Tatum is a closer, or that he's anywhere near that level of ready.

Did you watch the ACC tourney last season?

He was the man

During SL...the game winner...who hit that shot?

When was the last time Brown hit a shot like this /sl/pre season/regular games?

The ACC aourney and summer league are nowhere near the competiton level of the NBA. There's a difference between having that clutch mentality, which i think he probably has, and being able to shoulder that burden as a nineteen year old. If you are expecting him to close games for us on a regular basis this year you are gonna be disappointed. Three years from now he'll probably be draining paul pierce esque fade aways at the buzzer. For now thats KI's job.

You are not understanding with Hayward out and nobody else but KI to take crucial shots...opposing teams will be zeroed in on him...for example vs Bucks

Celts passed the ball around to everyone except to Tatum it felt like. Smart and Brown either seemed hesitant to take it to rhe basketbor make a tough jump shot. Kept passing it to KI. With middle lane clogged KI had nowhere to go

Now if there is at least one other player that teams 'fear' ...it will open up the lane more for KI

We have zero evidence either way to suggest that Tatum is a closer, or that he's anywhere near that level of ready.

Did you watch the ACC tourney last season?

He was the man

During SL...the game winner...who hit that shot?

When was the last time Brown hit a shot like this /sl/pre season/regular games?

The ACC aourney and summer league are nowhere near the competiton level of the NBA. There's a difference between having that clutch mentality, which i think he probably has, and being able to shoulder that burden as a nineteen year old. If you are expecting him to close games for us on a regular basis this year you are gonna be disappointed. Three years from now he'll probably be draining paul pierce esque fade aways at the buzzer. For now thats KI's job.

You are not understanding with Hayward out and nobody else but KI to take crucial shots...opposing teams will be zeroed in on him...for example vs Bucks

Celts passed the ball around to everyone except to Tatum it felt like. Smart and Brown either seemed hesitant to take it to rhe basketbor make a tough jump shot. Kept passing it to KI. With middle lane clogged KI had nowhere to go

Now if there is at least one other player that teams 'fear' ...it will open up the lane more for KI

This is why Im saying Tatum while young is the best option

I get that, I just think in the absence of Hayward we are gonna have to do it by committe. If Tatum is open, he gets the shot. If it's Brown, then Brown does. Or Rozier. Or Smart. Asking Tatum to be that guy right now is just too much. I mean when was the last time a rookie on a wining team was the closing guy? Even Lebron, one of the top 5 best NBA players of all time, took some time to learn how to close.

but I will say I am one of those that was/is behind the kyrie deal, I will be the first to say kyrie also just flat-out needs to be better. this is what he wanted - he needs to be the man... begins and ends with him.

We have zero evidence either way to suggest that Tatum is a closer, or that he's anywhere near that level of ready.

Did you watch the ACC tourney last season?

He was the man

During SL...the game winner...who hit that shot?

When was the last time Brown hit a shot like this /sl/pre season/regular games?

The ACC aourney and summer league are nowhere near the competiton level of the NBA. There's a difference between having that clutch mentality, which i think he probably has, and being able to shoulder that burden as a nineteen year old. If you are expecting him to close games for us on a regular basis this year you are gonna be disappointed. Three years from now he'll probably be draining paul pierce esque fade aways at the buzzer. For now thats KI's job.

You are not understanding with Hayward out and nobody else but KI to take crucial shots...opposing teams will be zeroed in on him...for example vs Bucks

Celts passed the ball around to everyone except to Tatum it felt like. Smart and Brown either seemed hesitant to take it to rhe basketbor make a tough jump shot. Kept passing it to KI. With middle lane clogged KI had nowhere to go

Now if there is at least one other player that teams 'fear' ...it will open up the lane more for KI

This is why Im saying Tatum while young is the best option

I get that, I just think in the absence of Hayward we are gonna have to do it by committe. If Tatum is open, he gets the shot. If it's Brown, then Brown does. Or Rozier. Or Smart. Asking Tatum to be that guy right now is just too much. I mean when was the last time a rookie on a wining team was the closing guy? Even Lebron, one of the top 5 best NBA players of all time, took some time to learn how to close.

Lebron aint no closer...he plays bully ball

jk ...but he can be stopped , especially if you force him to shoot the ball

TAtum has potential to be a dangerous closer bc like Pierce he can get his shot off anywhere from the court

It is true he is young.... but he is already starting right. I hope his will accelerate his development. But team needs to start winning

No, teams do not need to go to a 19 yr old rookie more late in games. Rookies never get handed that role. If they are good enough or confident enough they seize that role, rather than wait for it to be handed to them. See Kobe Bryant as an example of a rookie that took on the leadership mantle

No, teams do not need to go to a 19 yr old rookie more late in games. Rookies never get handed that role. If they are good enough or confident enough they seize that role, rather than wait for it to be handed to them. See Kobe Bryant as an example of a rookie that took on the leadership mantle

Kobe Bryant averaged 7 points in his rookie season. Dude was clearly not a leader when he was a rookie. MJ is a much better example and imo the best is Wilt. Also up till now Tatum is in line with Bird's rookie season, so anything is possible (ofc the bit worse but stats are similar).